Toxins on the Move

Leachate is a toxic liquid created when rainwater filters through waste. Even with protective liners, leachate can leak into the soil and contaminate groundwater, carrying chemicals, heavy metals, and dissolved plastics. This poses threats to human health and local ecosystems.

Landfills Harm Bird Health

Even though landfills provide calories for critters, the food waste is often nutritionally poor or contaminated. Birds frequently ingest plastic, metals, spoiled food, and chemicals, which can cause injury, malnutrition, poisoning, and even death.

The U.S. alone generates over 290 million tons of garbage per year, and much of it ends up in landfills because recycling systems are overwhelmed or inefficient. Many landfills are reaching capacity, which forces communities to build new ones, expand existing ones, or transport waste long distances.